Bucking Bronc Lodge 04(45)
Her hand fumbled on Rory’s arm. “Go on, sweetie. Run outside to Miles.”
Rory looked up at her with terrified eyes. But she also saw worry and guilt, as if he hated to leave the others behind. “It’ll be all right, I promise,” Jordan whispered. “Just go on. We’ll join you soon.”
She gently nudged him through the door and saw visible relief on Miles’s face. Jordan felt the same except there were still five other boys that needed saving.
She prayed she could talk Dugan into releasing all of them.
Then she would start fighting for her own life.
* * *
MILES’S HEART ACHED as little Rory raced toward him. He had texted Brody their location, and he heard a horse galloping up and glanced back to see Brody heading his way.
He swept Rory up and raced back to the edge of the woods just as Brody slowed the horse to a stop. Brody’s grim expression mirrored his own, but the fact that Dugan had released Rory was a good sign.
“What’s the situation?” Brody asked as he took Rory from Miles and eased him down behind a massive oak.
“Dugan appeared to be trying to get away with Jordan and Timmy when I arrived, but when he saw me, he shoved them back in the barn.” Miles scrubbed his hand down his chin. “Jordan must have convinced him to release Rory. Hopefully he’ll let all the kids go.”
Although he had a bad feeling he wouldn’t release Timmy. Dugan was sadistic. He’d want to hold that bargaining chip over him just to twist the knife deeper in his gut.
He turned to Rory. “Is anyone hurt?”
Rory shook his head no, but his lower lip quivered. “But he gots a gun and a knife and he hitted Miss Jordan.”
Miles’s chest clenched.
“Is she okay?” Brody asked.
Rory nodded. “She tolded him to keep her and let us go.”
Miles pinched the bridge of his nose. Jordan was sacrificing herself to save the boys.
He and Brody exchanged worried looks.
“Stay down,” Brody told Rory. “We’ll see if we can get your buddies out.”
“How’s Lee?” Miles asked.
Brody shrugged. “He’ll make it. The sheriff and one of his deputies are combing the ranch in case Dugan’s accomplice shows up. Another deputy and Cook are standing guard over the campers and employees at the dining hall.” Brody tilted his hat back. “Blackpaw said you discovered that Dugan has a half brother who visited him at the prison?”
“Yes. Blackpaw’s searching for him.”
“Maybe we should call in the feds,” Brody suggested.
“There’s no time,” Miles said. “Let me try to talk Dugan down.”
Brody gave him a warning look. “Make sure that’s your priority.”
Miles ground his teeth. “Of course that’s my priority.”
Concern flickered in Brody’s eyes. “But I know you want Dugan dead. And I understand the reason. If I were in your shoes, I’d probably feel the same way.”
Conflicting emotions pummeled Miles. “I do want him dead,” he admitted. “But I want Jordan and Timmy and the others out alive. Now trust me to do my job.”
Another second passed, then Brody nodded.
Once again Miles erected that steel wall around his emotions. He had to think like a cop, use his skills, get everyone out alive.
Especially Timmy and Jordan.
Hell, he shouldn’t think that way. It was selfish, but he couldn’t help himself. He loved his son more than his own life.
And he was starting to care for Jordan....
Yes, he’d save them. But he’d save the others, too.
Then he’d deal with Dugan and Ables and find out the truth about the murders so he could make the culprits pay.
* * *
“THANK YOU FOR LETTING Rory go, Robert,” Jordan said. “That was the right thing to do.”
Dugan raked his hand through his neatly manicured hair, spiking the ends in disarray, then pushed his face into hers. “Don’t sound so condescending. I still have the power here.”
“I know you do,” Jordan said, striving for calm. “And you also know that these kids will only slow you down when it’s time for you to leave. So why not send them outside now?”
He twisted around, stared at the children, cursed, then paced back and forth. His hand was shaking, his jaw twitching, his body jerking erratically. He was losing control and she didn’t know when his fuse might blow.
“Please,” Jordan said softly. “You’ll still have me. That’s all you need.”
His hiss echoed in the silence while Justin and Carlos did their best to keep the boys quiet. Timmy had drawn his knees to his chest and buried his head against them as if he had to shut out the world.